Southwest USA Travel Guidehttp://www.southwestusatravel.com
The American Southwest Travel GuideSun, 20 Apr 2014 17:58:12 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4Vegas on A Budget: The Cheapest Hotels in Las Vegas in 2014http://www.southwestusatravel.com/cheapest-las-vegas-hotels-2014/
http://www.southwestusatravel.com/cheapest-las-vegas-hotels-2014/#respondSat, 19 Apr 2014 13:30:45 +0000http://www.southwestusatravel.com/?p=1086Las Vegas is a unique destination where you can spend (or win!) a fortune in one single weekend. It's a city for high rollers, but you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a stay on The Strip.]]>

It’s a city for high rollers, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a stay on the strip.

Las Vegas is a unique destination where you can spend (or win!) a fortune in one single weekend. But if you’re looking for a cheap getaway, it’s possible to vacation in Las Vegas without breaking the bank.

Las Vegas can accommodate any budget. From poor college students to budget-minded retirees, Sin City welcomes everyone. We did our research and found the cheapest places to stay in Las Vegas, both on and off the strip.

Ready to book your room? Here are our top Las Vegas hotel suggestions for 2014, organized by popular regions including Downtown Las Vegas, The Strip Las Vegas, and Off Strip Las Vegas.

Cheapest Hotels Downtown

If you’re up for a heavy dose of nostalgia, consider staying on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, where all the original casinos were built more than a hundred years ago. With an abundance of glittery neon, Fremont gives you the views that made Las Vegas famous, with plenty of fun casinos, shops, and live entertainment.

The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Plaza recently finished a complete remodel, giving its hotel rooms a clean, modern 5-star feel for a budget price. It’s at the west side of the Fremont Experience, offering brilliant views of both Fremont and the Las Vegas Strip.

Palace Station Hotel Casino

Located west of the Strip, you’ll be in walking distance to the main strip.

Las Vegas Budget Travel Secrets

The secret to traveling cheap is to stick to some time-tested travel hacks.

Start on Sunday

Book your Las Vegas holiday during the week. The cheapest rooms are available Sunday through Thursday.

Avoid Events & Holidays

For the best rates, avoid traveling when there are major conventions or events in Las Vegas, when hotels tend to get fully booked and room rates skyrocket. And rather than traveling on major holidays, such as Memorial Day weekend, travel a week or two before or after major holidays, when occupancy is at its lowest and rates plumet.

Book in Advance

If you must travel during busy times of the year, grab better rates by booking early. Way early. Sometimes you’ll find the best rates if you book six months to a year in advance.

Call The Hotel

Ready to book your room online? Call the hotel directly, first. Sometimes you can get a better deal direct with the hotel. Sometimes a “sold out” room isn’t really sold out. Spend five minutes to call and ask.

Climb to the Highest Peak of Death Valley’s Sand Dunes for an Epic View Unlike Any Other.

Death Valley, the renowned 5,000 sq mile national park along California’s southeastern border, has long been considered the hottest place on Earth. I’ve traveled to this park many times since my first visit in 2005: I’ve camped in its primitive campgrounds, strolled across vast salt flats, climbed its peaks, explored its ghostly relics and cruised its rugged roads cutting through barren desert landscape.

But my favorite experience in this strange and wonderful desert has been climbing the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Keep scrolling for a photo tour of this challenging hike to the peak of Death Valley’s most beautiful sand dunes.

Getting There

The Mesquite dune field is found in the center of Death Valley National Park. You can access the dunes from a large designated parking area with pit toilets off Highway 190, just three miles east of Stovepipe Wells.

I recommend stopping by the Stovepipe Wells General Store (pictured at right) first to load up on supplies and fuel.

When To Go

Best Time of Year to Visit Death Valley

Your most important consideration is the time of year. Death Valley temperatures are often unbearably hot in mid-summer, with scorching temps reaching 123°F (50°C) and higher. Plan this hike in the spring or fall for optimal weather.

Best Time of Day to Hike in Death Valley

For the most striking views of the landscape and to avoid the mid-day sun, time your hike to coincide with the golden hour by leaving just before dawn, or a couple hours before sunset. The quality of light will be a warm golden color, a great complement to the sand dunes.

What To Bring

Plan in advance to carry everything you need on this hike. Be mindful of harsh desert conditions that could be life-threatening. There is no marked trail on the dunes. Head towards the highest peak and pay attention to where the parking area is for your hike back. Here are a few things you’ll need:

Carry plenty of water. In this arid desert, one gallon per person, per day, is suggested. Water is best carried in a reservoir with a hose and mouthpiece that you can carry in your backpack. I recommend the Camelbak Rogue 70 oz Hydration Pack. If you fill it half with ice and half with water, it will be wonderfully icy cold for your entire hike.

Pack food. This hike will be quite a workout. You’ll need snacks for an energy boost after spending hours hiking on sand. Bring a few of your favorite energy bars, or my personal power combo: a banana, walnuts, and cheese cubes.

Wear Sunscreen. Don’t just bring sunscreen, remember to wear it! Reapply often. I earned 2nd degree burns doing this hike without sunscreen in July of 2006. Whoops. I recommend a powerful 100SPF sunscreen along with lip balm, sunglasses, and a hat. Even if you don’t hike in the summer, the sun in Death Valley is intense. Remember, it doesn’t have to feel hot to burn.

Bring a Headlamp. Or a flashlight. If you’re hiking into the evening, you may need it. Be sure the batteries are fully charged, and know where you’re going.

What It’s Like

Below is a photo tour showing the progression from the beginning of the hike to the peak of the highest dune. Depending on your own pace and fitness level, the total hike could be anywhere from 2-4 hours.

Map to Death Valley

Use the map below for directions to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley. View the larger map to explore more popular Southwest USA destinations.

Earlier this month during a road trip throughout the Southwest USA, we visited Zion National Park in Southern Utah. Zion is my favorite national park in all of the Southwest, however, the neighboring town of Springdale is bustling, pricey and often overbooked. Plenty of park visitors stay at Zion’s onsite campgrounds, but it’s a primitive option lacking showers or amenities. I wanted to stay somewhere quiet, comfortable, affordable, and close to the park.

Enter Zion Ponderosa. Located just a few miles from the east entrance of Zion National Park, this full-service ranch resort provides everything you could need for a cushy stay in the wilderness: an outdoor infinity pool complete with waterslides and dual hot tubs, professional massage and spa services, horseback riding, rock climbing, zip-lining, jeep tours, chef-prepared meals, and more. Best of all, the setting is rural. quaintly rugged, and refreshingly peaceful with lodging options to accommodate any budget.

Lodging Options

There are a variety of ways to stay at Zion Ponderosa, from simple tent sites in the shade of evergreen trees to full scale luxury vacation homes.

Tent Sites & RV Parking

Pricing: $10+/night for tents; $49+/night for RVs

I’ve camped in plenty of sites throughout the Southwest USA and can say that Zion Ponderosa has the best facilities I’ve ever seen. Tent sites are shaded and well-maintained and include a picnic table and grill. Most importantly, the community showers are very clean, roomy, and private. There are large separate restrooms, along with a coin-operated laundry room and a dishwashing area.

Western Wagons

Pricing: $47+/night

These sturdy wooden wagons are a comfy step-up from camping. With a curved roof and traditional wagon wheels, these charming units are reminiscent of early American pioneer covered wagons. Each sleeps up to four people with two single beds and one queen. Bedding and towels are included, electricity is not. Bring your own flashlight, and enjoy roughing it in style.

Cowboy Cabins

Pricing: $67+/night

Cowboy cabins come with a large adult-size bunk loaded with two queen beds and a sofa sleeper to house a total of six people. There is no running water, but towels are included and the shower house is just a few steps away. You can plug your electronics into the included power outlets, and enjoy meals on the picnic table on your own front porch .

Cabin Suites

Pricing: $160+/night

We were thrilled to spend the weekend in an adorable cabin suite outfitted with a fireplace, flat-screen cable TV, kitchenette, private bedroom, full bathroom, and A/C unit. We even had our own private driveway and raised porch with a great view of the grounds. It was incredibly comfortable and perfectly appointed. I can’t wait to stay here again!

Resort Amenities & Activities

There are many ways to relax or keep busy at Zion Ponderosa. Whether you want to surf the web on free WiFi beside the pool or soar through the air on a zip-line, you’ll find something to make you smile. Some of my favorite amenities include:

Infinity pool with two hot tubs

Free WiFi

Horseback riding

JEEP tours

Professional massage

Zip-line

Rock climbing

In addition to a myriad of activities at the resort, keep in mind you are on the outskirts of Zion National Park, with more than 229 square miles of protected wilderness to enjoy and explore.

Final Impressions

With an upbeat, friendly staff, superior facilities, and plenty of activities throughout this sprawling rural ranch, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort was a great place for a weekend getaway. I highly recommend booking a stay here if you’re planning to visit Zion National Park.

Map It

]]>http://www.southwestusatravel.com/review-a-weekend-at-zion-ponderosa-ranch-resort-in-southern-utah/feed/1Monument Valley Guide: Where To See the Most Famous Views of the Southwest USAhttp://www.southwestusatravel.com/monument-valley-guide-where-to-see-the-most-famous-view-of-the-southwest-usa/
http://www.southwestusatravel.com/monument-valley-guide-where-to-see-the-most-famous-view-of-the-southwest-usa/#commentsSun, 15 Sep 2013 22:26:43 +0000http://www.southwestusatravel.com/?p=800Made Famous by Hollywood, These Classic Southwestern Views are Among the Most Iconic in Southwest America.]]>

Made Famous by Hollywood, these Classic Southwestern Views are Among the Most Iconic in Southwest America.

Found deep in the Navajo Nation along the Arizona and Utah borders is a cluster of sharp sandstone buttes forming what’s known as Monument Valley. Considered one of the most famous views of the whole Southwest USA, Monument Valley is a beautiful, remote stretch of iconic desert landscape that must be seen in your lifetime.

Getting There

Located in the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is convenient to many more great destinations in the Southwest. If you plan your trip accordingly, you can see some great sights before or after your tour of Monument Valley.

Where is Monument Valley?

The entire region covers parts of southeastern Utah and Northeastern Arizona, however, the official Navajo Tribal Park is located in Arizona off Highway 163. If you’re coming from the south, take Highway 191 north from the I-40. You’ll pass Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, Arizona. Continue north into Utah until Highway 163. Take this route west for the most scenic views into the park. Continue on Highway 163 until the park entrance at Monument Valley Road, where you’ll cross back into Arizona. Park signs will guide you.

Photo OpIf you take Highway 163 from Utah into the park, you will see one of the most infamous views of Monument Valley: the approach to the park with a long straight road, with monuments at the horizon, as seen below. This is one of the classic views often shown in the movies.

What’s Nearby Monument Valley?

Beyond the serenity of sweeping desert landscapes and these classic Southwest photo ops, there aren’t many other attractions in this remote area of the desert. Some relatively close sights are worth checking out on your way into or out of the park:

Where To Stay

There is no town near Monument Valley, but there is the renowned Monument Valley hotel and several camping options available to you.

Monument Valley Hotels

The only hotel located within Monument Valley boundaries is The View hotel. You can find it right beside the Visitor Center inside the park. All hotel rooms face east, towards the monuments, for an outstanding view for each and every guest. Rooms average between $100-300 depending on the season, and they fill up fast. You can learn more and book in advance on their website.

Monument Valley Camping

There are campsites in the area, but as of 2013 they’re reportedly closed through December. A nearby offsite campground at Goulding’s Lodge & Campground is a great alternative. For $26 per night you can rent a tent site with amenities such as indoor pool, free hot showers, and laundry. The campground is elevated, situated between sandstone formations with a peek-a-boo view of Monument Valley.

What To Do in Monument Valley

Mostly a haven for photographers and those who appreciate the sights of the Southwest, in Monument Valley you have just a few options to occupy your time.

Check out the Visitor Center

When you enter the park, you’ll arrive at the large, modern visitor center with incredible views of the valley. The parking lot offers another classic view of the “mittens” made famous by Hollywood. Have a look around, snap some pictures, and be sure to check out some of the historical artifacts in the visitor center. Then hop back in your car and take the scenic drive through the monuments.

Photo OpRight beside the visitor center is this incredible view of the “mittens” of Monument Valley. Be sure to snap this shot as it’s considered the most iconic scene of Monument Valley.

Take a Scenic Drive

Prepare yourself for incredible views on this 17-mile drive. Be sure to get a map from the park entrance booth to help guide you, and have your camera ready. These are some of the most iconic shots in the Southwest USA.

Hike Down to the Monuments

There is one self-guided hike down into the monuments called the Wildcat Trail. Originating behind the visitor’s center, this hike takes you 3.2 miles down and around the West Mitten Butte. At an elevation of 5,400 ft, this may take you up to two hours. Bring plenty of water and of course, leave no trace.

Hours & Entrance Fees

It’s important to note that your National Park Pass will not be accepted in Monument Valley. This park is independently owned by the Navajo people, so there is a separate fee.

This Naturally Sculpted Navajo Slot-Canyon is an Immensely Popular Paradise for Photographers.

Antelope Canyon of northern Arizona is one of the premier destinations for nature lovers and photographers alike.

The smooth sandstone walls of this remarkable slot canyon are accented by striking shafts of light, rendering this one of the most photogenic sights in all of the Southwest.

Carved by years of erosion from flash-flooding, visit this canyon to witness the awe-inspiring ways in which nature impacts the landscape.

Getting There

Located on the edge of the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona near the Utah border, Antelope Canyon is convenient to many more great destinations in the Southwest. If you plan your trip accordingly, you can see some beautiful sights before or after your Antelope Canyon tour.

Where is Antelope Canyon?

Just six miles east of the small town of Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is only accessible by hiring a Navajo guide. You can sign up for a canyon tour right in town from several local providers, or you can cruise southeast on Highway 98 and find a tour company closer to the canyon. The road will be marked with signs advertising tours. Stop by and inquire. Once you pay for a tour, you’ll join a group of visitors in a 4X4 driven by your tour guide. Travel to the mouth of the canyon is a couple miles away on rough, unpaved desert road.

What’s Nearby Antelope Canyon?

Some relatively close sights are worth checking out on your way into or out of Antelope:

What To Do in Antelope Canyon

Activities in Antelope Canyon are limited to a walk-through tour strictly led by authorized guides. Preservation is important to the Navajo people. There are no solo excursions; even touching the canyon walls is discouraged in order to protect the delicate sandstone.

For obvious reasons, this is a popular destination for both amateur and pro photographers. Chances are, when you visit Antelope Canyon it will be crowded with photographers. Bring your camera and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime photo op.

Tour Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is most popular among tourists as the entrance and the length of the tour is all at ground level. No climbing is required, and the footing is very even. You’ll arrive at the entrance with your guide who will walk you through the slot canyon with your group and share the history and nature of the canyon. Mid-day tours are most popular to catch the noontime beams of light coming into the canyon from above.

Tour Lower Antelope Canyon

A couple miles further out, Lower Antelope Canyon is a more difficult, longer, narrower excursion with uneven footing. It requires some climbing on fixed stairways.

Because the depth of Lower Antelope is shallower, extra light enters this canyon making it ideal (and a favorite) among professional photographers.

It is also a slightly more expensive tour because of the intensity and duration of the hike.

Where To Stay in Antelope Canyon

Because this is a restricted sight far from the main road and requiring a guide for access, there is nowhere to stay immediately in Antelope Canyon. You will be escorted to and from the canyon by a Navajo guide. But nearby is the town of Page, Arizona, offering plenty of lodging options.

Antelope Canyon Hotels

Six miles west of Antelope Canyon in the neighboring town of Page, Arizona, are plenty of hotels at all price points, including national chains. You’ll have no trouble finding a place to stay for the night. You can also head 75 miles northwest on Highway 89 and for additional lodging options in Kanab, Utah. Kanab is a beautiful small town with easy access to both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National park.

Antelope Canyon Camping

There is no camping in the canyon. Head northwest towards nearby Lake Powell for plenty of camping options on the lake’s shoreline. There will be a nominal fee to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, along with camping fees averaging $6-$15.

Hours & Entrance Fees

Tour Hours
Hours and vary by tour company and time of year. It is advised to arrive early and schedule a tour in the late morning or midday, to take advantage of the best light.

Entry Fees
Total costs for a tour run between $35 and $85 per person. The fee depends on whether you tour the upper or lower canyons, and the time of year.

Map to Antelope Canyon

Use the map below for directions to Antelope Canyon. View the larger map to explore more popular Southwest USA destinations.

]]>http://www.southwestusatravel.com/antelope-canyon-tours-a-must-see-for-fine-art-and-landscape-photographers/feed/0Where To Live On The Road: 5 Affordable Housing Options Cheaper Than a Hotelhttp://www.southwestusatravel.com/where-to-live-on-the-road-5-affordable-housing-options-cheaper-than-a-hotel/
http://www.southwestusatravel.com/where-to-live-on-the-road-5-affordable-housing-options-cheaper-than-a-hotel/#commentsThu, 04 Jul 2013 17:47:09 +0000http://www.southwestusatravel.com/?p=629Explore these Alternatives to a Hotel For A Cheaper Night's Stay While Traveling]]>

Explore these Alternatives to a Hotel For A Cheaper Night’s Stay While Traveling

Housing is any traveler’s biggest expense. When you’re a slow traveler on a budget, a three-month stay in a downtown hotel room probably isn’t an option. But there are plenty of possibilities on the road to accommodate any price range. With the cost of hotel rooms averaging $80/night, long-term travelers can do better. Below are five housing options cheaper than a night in a hotel.

Go Camping

Average Cost: $10 per nightPros: Close to nature, promotes health & wellnessCons: Requires gear and pre-planning

It may be a less conventional form of accommodation, but camping for several weeks or more can be a beautiful experience. In 2011, I spent a month camping in Zion National Park in Southern Utah. For less than $10 per night, I had my own secluded tent site with access to hot private showers, laundry facilities, and an endless swimming pool. I spent my days hiking throughout the park, and escaped the desert heat by swimming in the Virgin River under the bright sun. Back at the campgrounds I was hardly “roughing it” by spending my evenings soaking in an outdoor hot tub high in the mountains under a million stars.

Choose a campground with facilities that will keep you comfortable—hot showers are a big must-have for me. Camping should help you feel closer to nature, not annoyed by it. Browse USA campsites at Recreation.gov.

Stay in a Hostel

Hostels typically rent single beds in shared rooms to keep costs down, so you can expect to bunk with a few other travelers. If you like meeting new people, living simply, and packing light, a hostel is for you. If you prefer privacy and personal space, you’re better off skipping them or inquiring about private rooms.

In Cape Town, South Africa I lived for a month in a popular hostel in the center of Long Street, the epicenter of Cape Town’s nightlife. Not only were the neighboring clubs booming all night on the weekends, but the hostel itself was immediately above a dance club. The room I shared with five others was thumping til 4AM. There was no air conditioning in the sweltering January heat, but it didn’t matter. The many people I met and befriended were incredible. In the end, that is most important.

Do your research and find a hostel with features and amenities that appeal to you. You can review and book hostels over at HostelBookers.com or HostelWorld.com.

Rent a Private Room

Average Cost: $35 per nightPros: Local immersion, furnished home environment with amenitiesCons: Limited privacy, Longer committment

Renting a room from a resident can be a great way to comfortably immerse yourself in the local scene while keeping costs down. Many people who rent rooms offer them on a weekly or month basis. It’s a great way to feel at home for cheap. Check your local Craigslist or Gumtree sites to find rooms and sublets for rent. Look for a roommate with a compatible schedule and similar values.

For a more formal experience, try searching for a room on AirBNB or Wimdu. These popular sites help travelers find local hotel-style rooms for rent from private homeowners. Ratings help you screen the people you’ll be dealing with and many of the properties have been personally verified by staff.

Crash On a Couch

Thanks to CouchSurfers.com, you have an entire community of travel enthusiasts eager to connect and open their homes to you. When you couch-surf, you get to meet and stay with hospitable locals, often for free. Living arrangements vary, but the community is well-established and reputable. The website uses a rating system to keep interactions safe. Plan in advance to communicate with potential hosts to negotiate your stay. The community is very social, so it helps if you build a complete profile on the site and interact with other users.

Trade Work for Room & Board

Average Cost: FREEPros: Low or no-cost living, community environment, learning opportunitiesCons: Requires pre-planning, working environment may be uncomfortable

In rural regions throughout the world, trading work for room and board is quite common. Organic farming is a popular trade where farms will provide room and board in exchange for help from volunteers on the farm. It’s a great opportunity to learn and experience a different lifestyle without spending a dime. You can find work for trade opportunities like this through WWOOF International.

Plan and Pack Right to Avoid Tragedy in Triple-Digit Temps

Just this past week, while cruising north on I-95 in Nevada en route to Death Valley National Park, we encountered a young man wandering alongside a remote stretch of desert highway.

It was 104°F and his car had broken-down more than forty miles from the nearest town. He was burned a bright red, without water or shade, and his cell phone battery was dead. He had been stranded under the relentless sun of the Mojave desert for nearly four hours.

He was lucky to be alive.

Mildly delerious, this college kid refused a lift into town—he didn’t want to leave his car. So we loaded him up with water, ice, and fruit and charged his phone while he cooled off in our air conditioned rental. He made a call and was finally on his way home safe with a vicious sunburn. Tragedy averted.

But not everyone is so fortunate. Each year, many travelers lose their lives in the Southwest USA by succumbing to its harsh desert climate. With simple precautions, you can travel safely and survive the desert heat.

1) Communicate Your Plans

Anytime you plan an excursion through the desert, be sure a reliable friend or family member back home knows precisely where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. Should you go missing, this person will be responsible for contacting authorities.

2) Know Your Location

With so many scenic byways, remote geological structures, and prehistoric sites to explore in the Southwest USA desert, it’s natural to make impromptu detours that lead you off-course. But be attentive to your location as you travel—note mile markers and be aware of your distance to the nearest town. You’ll need this information if you have to call for help. For maximum safety, travel with a GPS unit.

3) Stay Hydrated

The average human can survive several weeks without food, but just mere days without water. In the searing heat of the desert a person may not survive one full day without adequate hydration. Pack accordingly: Each person needs one full gallon of water per day in hot climates. You can buy water by the gallon for less than a dollar at any big-box retailer. Load up, and drink up!

4) Prepare For Emergencies

Should your tire go flat, do you have the tools to fix it? You brought your cell phone, but will it hold a charge? Does your cell phone even work in distant desert backcountry? Prepare for such contingencies, including the possibility that you may have to flag down a good samaritan for help.

Plan carefully and enjoy a safe trip through the Southwestern United States. If you’re in Arizona, be sure to check out Canyon de Chelly, a strikingly beautiful National Park featuring prehistoric Navajo ruins.

Dealing with long lines, heavy luggage, and a stack of paperwork while navigating through the complex maze of a crowded airport doesn’t seem like the ideal way to start a trip. But for many of us, flying is unavoidable.

A smart traveler can save time and frustration with a little preparation. These easy travel tips will show you how to save an hour or two at the airport by bypassing the check-in counter and sailing through the TSA security screening. You’ll be sipping a latte beside your gate in no time.

Prepare In Advance To Avoid The Check-In Counter

The best way to ease your time at the airport is to come prepared. With a boarding pass in hand and your luggage checked curbside, you can head straight to the security checkpoint when you arrive.

Check-In Before You Arrive

Take advantage of the online check-in service offered by most major airlines. You can lock-in your seat assignment, pay checked-luggage fees, and print your boarding pass all from home.

No computer access? You can check-in from the automated self-serve kiosks available at many airports. Just swipe your passport, ID, or a credit card; the computer will scan for your name and pull up your itinerary.

Unload Checked Baggage At The Door or Pack The Right Carryon

If you’re checking luggage, you can drop your bag curbside with a skycap right in front of the airport entry doors. Be aware that most airlines now charge a $2-$3 fee for this service, and tipping the baggage handler is standard practice.

With the new trend of most airlines charging upwards of $20 for every checked bag, more passengers are squeezing everything into carry-ons. Be sure your carry-on meets the size and weight requirements set by your airline to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Even if you follow these guidelines, you may be informed at the gate that your roller bag is too large for the overhead compartment. This happens frequently on full flights. Your bag will be checked planeside and returned to you on the jetway immediately after landing. Be mindful of this and consider packing your valuables and essential carry-on items in a separate shoulder bag to keep with you.

Get Through TSA Security Screenings Fast

With your boarding pass and government-issued identification in hand, you can zip through security if you dress and pack properly.

Pack Right to Avoid Delays

The TSA asks travelers to bring well-packed, organized carry-on bags to expedite the X-ray process. A bag full of messy, disheveled items will take more time to examine and may be pulled aside for closer inspection.

Carry-on electronic gadgets are allowed, but remember all laptops must be pulled out from luggage and scanned separately. Save time by having your laptop handy as you approach the X-ray belt.

The TSA is standing by the 3-1-1 rule for bringing liquids on-board the plane. This means you can carry on common toiletries in individual three-ounce bottles which must be packed in a single one-quart clear plastic zip-shut bag. If your trip is longer than a few days, you may want to include full-size toiletries in your checked luggage.

Dress Simply to Minimize False Alarms

As of 2011, the TSA still requires passengers to remove their shoes for X-ray screening. Choose easy slip-on shoes for your day of travel to save time.

To prevent a false alarm when passing through a metal detector, avoid wearing or carrying metal objects such as jewelry, wristwatches, car keys, or belts with metal buckles. All of these items may be tucked away into your carry-on in advance to expedite the process.

Take Advantage of What The Airport Has to Offer

Once you’ve passed through security and located your gate with an hour or two to spare, allow yourself time to take advantage of what the airport has to offer.

Larger, modern airports boast incredible architecture and display works of art throughout their terminals. Many offer a variety of shops filled with gifts unique to the locale. Restaurants, from national chains to locally-owned eateries, will help you fill up fast. The advent of quick comfort services, such as mini-massage stations and oxygen bars, are gaining momentum. Business travelers may find convenient workstations and free or low-fee internet access. International airports are rich with cultural diversity, often bustling with travelers from all over the globe. Take it all in, have fun, and try to appreciate the buzz of energy that radiates from the epicenter of human travel.

Visit Ancient Sites With a Navajo Guide; This Lesser-Known National Park Rivals the Grand Canyon in Beauty, History, and Culture.

Located in the remote northeastern edge of Arizona, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is worthy of a weekend visit. The park features a series of majestic canyon overlooks highlighting ancient Native American ruins. Of the seven hundred standing ruins, thirteen have been preserved. Visitors can explore the canyon floor for close-up views with a genuine Navajo guide or park ranger.

Getting There

The rural community of Chinle is the gateway to this national park, located 75 miles north of the I-40 off Hwy 191 in Northeast Arizona. At nearly four hours from Flagstaff and almost six hours from Phoenix, an overnight stay is recommended. Chinle has several reasonably priced hotels and restaurants to choose from.

What To Do

Scenic Drive

Drive to various overlooks accessible from two different paved roadways that wrap around the canyon. There are three overlooks along the North Rim Drive and seven along the South Rim Drive. Ancient Native American Pueblo ruins and cliff dwellings can be spotted from the overlooks. Allow two hours for either drive along the canyon rim.

Canyon Tour

Because the canyon continues to be home to the local Navajo community, an authorized guide is required to tour into the canyon backcountry. A local Navajo guide can be hired for a nominal fee. These guides conduct vehicle, hiking, and horseback tours regularly. Check in at the Visitor’s Center for more information or to arrange a tour.

Self-Guided Hike

One hiking trail into the canyon is open to the public without the requirement of a guide or permit. Beginning at the White House Ruins overlook off the South Rim Drive, a well-maintained switchback trail descends 600ft from the canyon rim down onto the canyon floor. The view is spectacular and the hike is relatively easy with a gentle slope and plenty of places to rest and take in the views. At the bottom of the canyon, the White House Ruins can be seen up-close. Be sure to bring along plenty of water and a little extra cash to shop for handmade gifts from the Navajo who gather daily to sell their wares. Plan to spend two to three hours hiking down into and back out of the canyon.

Spend the Day at a National Conservation Area Featuring Panoramic Vistas, Scenic Hiking Trails, Rare Prehistoric Artifacts, and Diverse Desert Wildlife.

Red Rock Canyon is a fun family-friendly excursion only a short drive west of the famous Las Vegas Boulevard. The National Conservation area is renowned for its rare geologic structures, most notably the red sandstone Calico Hills, popular for world-class bouldering and rock climbing.

Getting There

Visitors can get to the National Conservation area from the Las Vegas Strip by driving west on Charleston Blvd for approximately thirty minutes. The entrance to Red Rock Conservation Area is on the west side of the road, marked by a large sandstone park sign.

What To Do

A stop at the Visitor’s Center is highly recommended. Patrons can browse educational exhibits, take in a panoramic view of the canyon, and shop at the gift store. Restrooms and refreshments are available.

To tour Red Rock Canyon, take a leisurely drive on the 13-mile scenic loop that winds through the Mojave Desert terrain.

There are a number of roadside parking areas where visitors can enjoy the the views or take a hike on a marked trail. Trail markers display the length and difficulty of each hike, and informative park signs describe local wildlife and geology.

Unusual Sightings

Throughout the area wildlife can be spotted including burro, bighorn sheep, and the desert tortoise. The region is abundant with diverse desert foliage from Joshua Trees to Beavertail Cactus. Petroglyphs from early Native Americans can be found throughout the park, which may date as far back as 3,000 BC. The Willow Springs Picnic Area off the scenic loop has a striking display of Native American handprint pictographs.